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Christmas – Introduce the Beloved European Family Tradition of Collecting ‘Santon’s'!

Have you ever heard of ‘santons’? Well they are big for Christmas collectors in Europe. Santon is derived from the word ‘santouon’ which means ‘little saint’. They are clay figures, hand painted and about 70 millimeter high representing 19th century French Provencal characters.

Many people have a real passion for collecting these figures. There are hundreds of different figures, animals and accessories from which to choose. There are bakers, millers, fishermen, water carriers and even bear trainers! It is popular for most families to add a piece or two every year to their home collections. Santon collections are considered family heirlooms which are passed down lovingly from parent to child through the generations. Each year families enjoy the fun of choosing a new addition or two for their collections.

Santon making is said to have began as a popular act of resistance during the French Revolution to the closing of churches during this time. Creches were before the French Revolution big business and were displayed in the churches where crowds flocked to view the elaborate designs. With the churches closed the people’s beloved creches were no longer available for public access. It was Jean-Louise Lagnel (1764-1822) from Marseilles who started to make the beloved creche figures for people to purchase for display in their own homes. Jean-Louise was in demand with his affordable priced figures.

Jean-Louise Lagnel used the province of Marseille’s and Aubagne’s fine clay. He used small moulds and the casts were hand painted. It didn’t take long for others to start perfecting his technique. The figures were referred to as ‘creches for the people’. Soon santon makers added local characters and trades which became popular. The santon makers idea of using ordinary people from every day life on their way to pay homage to the Holy Family became an instant hit. Later santon fairs were held throughout regions. Today the oldest and also the largest (founded in 1803) is still alive and popular today in Marseille. It is held from Advent through to Epiphany. It is an event not to be missed!

Still popular to this very day is the art of santon making with workshops in many regions across Provence which visitors are welcomed as participants of workshops or to browse and purchase. The same techniques that have been practiced for centuries are still practiced today. It is an opportunity to see first hand works of art in the making as well as the opportunity to purchase santons as prized presents or for one’s home.

Marcel Carbonel is renowned as one of the oldest and most famous santon makers in Marseille in France today. Santon Boutiques and workshops including Marcel’s are open all year. You can even purchase santons online from most major workshop stores and boutiques in their online stores. Here are some you can Google:

Santons in Marseille – Atelier Arterra, Cabanon des Accoules and Marcel Carbonel

Read more: Christmas – Introduce the Beloved European Family Tradition of Collecting ‘Santon’s'!

Society and Culture: George Washington Carver

Heads of state from Mahatma Gandhi to Joseph Stalin sought his talent. The top business leaders and entrepreneurs of his day eagerly desired to work with him. Henry Ford offered him unlimited resources, laboratory facilities and assistants if he would do research for his company. Thomas Edison reportedly told him, “Together we can remake the world.”

How is it that George Washington Carver, who was born a slave in southern Missouri and orphaned as an infant, generated such demand and respect in the society and culture of the 19th century? What insight could this humble teacher of botany and agriculture bring to a world that was racing into an industrial and technological future?

STRUGGLING FOR KNOWLEDGE

Carver was born sometime near the end of the American Civil War on a small plantation. While he was still an infant, a marauding band of criminals kidnapped him and his mother. The owner of the plantation was able to rescue Carver, but his mother was never found. Thus began a difficult life, with many obstacles to be overcome.

Carver was unable to attend school regularly until he was 12, but he desperately wanted to be there to learn as much as he could. He was forced to leave home and live with another family in order to attend school, paying for his board by doing the household chores. According to a number of accounts, he had to forgo recess at school so he could return home to help with the laundry, but he invariably took a book with him and continued to study during his chores.

Throughout his education, Carver spent almost as much time working to pay for his schooling as he did studying. But he was determined to learn, and neither lack of money nor the walls of racial discrimination that so dominated late-nineteenth-century America would deflect him from his goal. Despite all the obstacles, his attitude remained free from bitterness, his character bolstered by a warm and charismatic humility. Very often his gentle nature defused the tension when racially motivated criticisms and attacks came his way. His fellow students loved him and came to his defense many times when he faced the specter of hatred that still haunted the nation.

In 1890 he enrolled in Iowa’s Simpson College to study art and music. He was quite a good artist by most accounts, but opportunities for blacks in those fields were limited. So on the advice of a friend, he returned to his first love, agriculture and botany, with which he had become fascinated while growing up on the plantation. His motivation for this change was selfless. He felt that he could serve his people more through a knowledge of agriculture than through art. As a result, he left Simpson after one year and enrolled in Iowa State University.

Carver completed his master’s degree at Iowa State in 1896. But even before he graduated, his reputation as a bright student, researcher and inspiring teacher began to spread. Many universities and colleges were ready to offer him a position.

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15 Short Funny Quotes for Humor Month

April is “Humor Month” and the very first day of this very month is loved by pranksters and jokers everywhere. To honor this comical time of year, we’re fondly revisiting fifteen short funny quotes that are sure to light smiles everywhere.

1. “The Internet is a great way to get on the Net.” ~ Bob Dole

2. “Ugliness is better than beauty. It lasts longer and in the end, gravity will get us all.” ~ Johnny Depp

3. “On cable TV they have a weather channel – 24 hours of weather. We had something like that where I grew up. We called it a window.” ~ Dan Spencer

4. “When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before.” ~ Mae West

5. “A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.” ~ Robert Frost

6. “There’s no half-singing in the shower, you’re either a rock star or an opera diva.” ~ Josh Groban

7. “I’m astounded by people who want to ‘know’ the universe when it’s hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.” ~ Woody Allen

8. “Charlie Brown is the one person I identify with. C.B. is such a loser. He wasn’t even the star of his own Halloween special.” ~ Chris Rock

9. “The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” ~ Albert Einstein

10. “I never forget a face, but in your case I’ll be glad to make an exception.” ~ Groucho Marx

11. “People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” ~ Anonymous

12. “When I was born I was so surprised I didn’t talk for a year and a half.” ~ Gracie Allen

13. “If at first you don’t succeed, blame someone else and seek counseling.” ~ Erma Bonbeck

14. “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So for today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” ~ Dave Barry

15. “Procrastination is like a credit card; it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.” ~ Christopher Parker

Here’s to a wonderful Humor Month! I hope you’ve enjoyed these short funny quotes. May your April be filled with laughter (and may you be lucky enough to have fewer April pranks played on you than you play on others). Remember, laughter is the best medicine and he who laughs loudest wins!

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Hen Parties versus Stag Parties – The Differences

The biggest difference between hen parties and stag parties is that hen parties are celebrated by women and stag parties are celebrated by men. The rest of the differences between hen parties and stag parties will vary in degree, depending upon the nature of the party. For instance, many hen and stag parties may take place at the same locations, but will often include male strippers versus female strippers.

Also, if it is a more feminine-oriented female party there may be more pampering activities that may take place, such as visiting a spa where party-goers can receive a massage. Another big difference is that perhaps a female hen party may include a pajama party, which would normally not take place at a stag party. However, if women do not necessarily want a traditionally feminine hen party, their parties may possibly consist of exactly the same elements as a man’s stag party. For instance, many women enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, or they may like to swim.

Perhaps these women would also like to go hiking as well. They may also want to visit various historical sites. Many men participate in the same activities, so in this case the only difference may be in the clothes that the men or women would wear, and other minor distinquishments between the sexes. If one is going to describe actual differences between all-male or all-female parties there could be quite a few common misconceptions or stereotypes. For instance, some may suggest that men are wilder than women, and more independent. On the contrary, many women could prove this to not be true. One of the other common stereotypes may also be that males may enjoy racing or other sporting activities than the women would. This may or may not be true.

One major real difference perhaps between hen and stag parties may be that of communication. Women are naturally more prone to want to get to know each other on a deeper level than men are. Therefore, they may possibly play more “get-to-know-you” type games in someone’s home than a man would. However, both groups would generally concede that alcohol, sexy strippers, or a bottle of champagne is in order for this type of celebration. Furthermore, both would consider hiring limo drivers for the occasion as well. So, when a person thinks of the true differences between men and women parties there may not be any real differences. If so, those differences are often very minor. Again, most people would agree that the biggest difference is that a hen party is all females and a stag party is all males.

For both males and females a pre-marriage party usually is planned for a similar purpose. It helps calm the future couple’s nerves as well as to help them mourn the loss of singlehood as well as celebrate the beginning of married life. For both men and women this can be an exciting time that sometimes includes feelings of healthy sadness. Oh, perhaps there is one more difference that exists between hen and stag parties. When women dress up to celebrate and go out they are often thought of to be much prettier than men are. Likewise, most people would agree that female strippers are sexier than men strippers as well. This is supposed to be a joke, but it helps make light of the many stereotypes that exist between men and women.

Some people will have been disappointed by the conclusion brought about by the time they reach the end of this article. To those who are disappointed with what is said in this article, an apology is asked of you in advance. For those of you who felt mislead about what would be included in this article, you also get an advance apology as well. For those of you that understand that the purpose of this article is to make you understand that there are differences between hen and stag parties, but they are hardly noticeable these days…thank you. You understand that the purpose of this article is to dispel the common misconceptions and stereotypes of both men and women.

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7 of The World’s Luckiest (and Unluckiest) Numbers

From the first day that man began to study numbers and their significance in every day life, some numbers have been assigned certain characteristics. Some numbers have been thought to be lucky, while others are considered unlucky. And it’s not just Western culture that has done this.

Cultures in Japan, China, India and Africa have done the exact same thing, but for different reasons. Let’s take a look at some commonly known lucky and unlucky numbers to see why some numbers are cursed and some are loved.

· 7 – Everyone knows that 7 is lucky. But why? The root of most lucky numbers can be found in religion. God, for instance, is said to have created the world in 7 days. There are also several references to seven in other places in the bible, like the length of festivals and the arrangement of the Sabbath. Seven also comes up repeatedly in ancient history. Until the 1800’s, there were seven known planets in the solar system, mathematician Pythagoreans considered seven to be the perfect number and as any craps player can tell you, seven is the most desirable role on the dice. In most major instances, seven is a lucky number from culture to culture. Seven is even the usual number of spots on a ladybug. Lady bugs are considered good luck in their own right.

· 4 – This number is bad luck in the far east. The pronunciation of the number four in Japanese is very similar to the word death, and because of this, four has been considered bad luck in Japan, Korea and China. It is considered very bad luck to give a gift that is made up of four pieces to someone. Many buildings in heavily Asian areas do not have a fourth floor, much like the way North American cultures treat the number 13. In Western culture, four isn’t necessarily considered lucky or unlucky, however, there are a few unlucky fours. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Christian bible, and most swear words are called “four letter words.”

· 666 – Six hundred and sixty-six is an interesting number. It is both extremely bad luck in Western culture but very good luck in many Asian cultures. As everyone knows, according to the Christian bible, 666 is the number of the beast and is synonymous with Satan. 666 might actually be the most avoided number in Western culture, followed closely by the number 13. But in cultures in Asia, the pronunciation of 666 sounds very much like the phrase, “things going smoothly,” and it is considered to be very lucky. Many shopkeepers will place a sign or plaque with 666 written or carved on it in their window as a good luck charm. The same goes for the front door of a home or apartment. In Western culture, 666 has appeared millions of times, almost universally in a bad connotation.

· 13 – The hysteria surrounding unlucky 13 in Western culture has become so commonplace that an actual sickness called triskaidekaphobia; the fear of the number 13. You would be hard pressed to find a building with a 13th floor in North America. The origin of this superstition is mainly unknown. In the famous painting of Jesus at the Last Supper, the 13th person at the table, reading left to right, was Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Others believe it is because of the tie-in with 13 and the lunar cycle. 13 is the exact number of full moons in a calendar year, and since people have thought that the moon controls emotion and makes people a bit crazy, then 13 is bad luck. In many Persian cultures, 13 is unlucky as well, showing that this superstition crosses cultural borders. And of course, Friday the 13th is considered very bad luck. It originates from the massacre of the Knight’s Templar on that date in 1307.

Read more: 7 of The World’s Luckiest (and Unluckiest) Numbers

Jewish Holidays

Jews, the followers of Judaism, are famous for their ethnic and historic culture. Jews observe a number of holidays, most of which are of religious significance.

Rosh Hashanah, Tzom Gedaliah, Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, Fast of Esther, Purim, Tu B’Shvat, Counting the Omer, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel Memorial Day and Israel Independence Day are some of the significant Jewish holidays.

Before knowing more about Jewish Holidays, it is important to understand the concept of ‘Shabbat’, or the weekly Rest Day in Jewish culture. The seventh day of the week is referred to as ‘Shabbath’ which literally means rest. Derived from the anecdote that God created the Universe in six days and rested on the seventh, Shabbat signifies complete rest and no work. As days reserved to be spent in tranquility, with family and loved ones, Shabbat forms the basis for many of the Jewish holidays.

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. As the holiest Torah-mandated holiday, this festival is observed by completely abstaining from work. Celebrated closely after ‘Rosh Hashanah’, the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur symbolizes regrets for misdeeds of the previous year and a resolution to start afresh, in a clean state of mind.

The concept of Rosh Chodesh, or the New Moon, is very significant to Jewish culture. Symbolizing renewal, this day celebrates the Jewish ability to rise above oblivion and restore its glorious past. Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedaliah) is an annual fast day observed immediately after Rosh Hashanah. The fast is observed to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, the Governor of Israel during the days of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylonia.

All Jewish holidays and observances begin on the previous evening, except for some fasts. All holidays are marked by special prayers and services. Jewish holidays mostly follow Sabbath-like restrictions, so all normal business, school or secular activities cease about two hours before the sun sets for the previous evening. Certain activities which are forbidden on the Sabbath and Yom Kippur, like cooking and carrying, are permitted on other holidays.

Deeply rooted in their glorious past and religious values, Jewish holidays celebrate Judaism and symbolize the renewal of this culture.

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Nourishing Recipes For Little Ones

One of the things that parents spend much time thinking about is creating and preparing healthful recipes for their little ones. While it can sometimes be cumbersome to always prepare healthful recipes, especially when you have little time or are in a hurry after work, there are a variety of healthy recipes that you can create very simply, here are some of them.

Applesauce
Almost all kids enjoy applesauce and applesauce is deceptively easy to prepare and very delicious. All you need are 2 red apples, two teaspoons of sugar (brown sugar is fine), a couple of tablespoons of lemon and some cinnamon. Making applesauce is easy, just put your two red apples in a food processor, tossing out the core first. Process the apples and once they become chopped up into small pieces put them in a bowl; add your sugar, lemon juice and finally a few pinches of cinnamon. Voila, you have fresh and all natural apple sauce.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
Here is a recipe that most everyone will love. Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits are very painless to prepare and you can create numerous types of parfaits just by selecting different varieties of fruits. For this recipe you can begin with about 8 ounces of yogurt, some chopped up strawberries and some fresh granola. Just mix the yogurt and strawberries together and add the granola to the top. You can simply improvise with this recipe, mixing in any type of fruits you like. In addition to adding granola, you can choose to add your favorite cereal, nuts, a few drops of chocolate or a gummy bear or two. This recipe takes only a second to make and will put a smile on all your little ones’ faces.

Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are tasty, fun to eat, and simple to prepare. They are also very healthy. You just need potatoes, some fresh milk, and a little butter. One of the ways to spruce up your mashed potatoes for little ones is to add a little food coloring, especially for the holidays. For instance, many people during St. Patrick’s Day make green mashed potatoes. For Halloween, you can mix in orange food coloring, etc. While you can simply spruce up mashed potatoes, this is one food that your kids will love because it tastes awesome. It is important to note that while you can buy mashed potato flakes, it is always better to use fresh potatoes.

Cinnamon French Toast
Are you seeking a healthy breakfast treat? French toast is it! You can prepare French Toast very simply, just take white bread, or almost any variety of bread and place it into a mixture of fresh milk and eggs that have been slightly beaten. Now cook it in a frying pan with either a drop of butter or cooking spray and voila, you have French Toast. Instead of using high sugar syrups or fatty butter, choose instead to sprinkle yummy powdered sugar. Many parents use fresh fruits as well, such as strawberries and raspberries to top off their creation.

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Christmas Pyramids: A 300 year old Tradition

Before the grand Tannenbaum, there was the Weinachts pyramide, or lightstock. This holiday tradition can be traced to Dresden, the largest city in the Erzibirge region of Germany, where in 1168 AD silver and tin were discovered. Hundreds of miners flocked to the Ore Mountains to make their fortunes. But foreign competition and warfare resulted in many miners losing their jobs. To compensate, many took up woodcarving, incorporating mining symbols and religious elements into their designs. Thus a reputation for intricate woodwork was established in the region.

In the middle ages Christians began associating the evergreen with Christmas, borrowing the symbol from the pagan winter solstice celebration. Bringing trees into their homes, villagers hung fruit and cookies from the branches to symbolize the fruits of redemption. At the same time, woodcarvers in the Erzebirge region fashioned the first lightstock, a pyramid-shaped stand made from 2-5 wooden rods and 3 shelves holding candles and Christmas-related figurines. Eventually someone thought to attach a pinwheel to the top of the central rod. The heat from the candles rose, rotating the pinwheel and the shelves. Small lightstocks (average pyramids stand about 50 cm) were placed beside Christmas trees in some homes, although many poor woodcarvers could not afford trees, and thus the lightstock came to be known as the “poor man’s Christmas tree.” Unlike the glass ornaments of Lausche, the lightstock was not originally made to satisfy customer demand, but was established first as a genuine folk tradition. Other seasonal objects fashioned by the woodcarvers of the Erzibirge region include schwiboggen, an arch-shaped candle holder that lights the windows during Advent; rauchermann, a wooden ornament shaped like a smoking man with a hollowed out mouth where incense is burned; and the popular nutcracker, inspired by the storybook on which Tchaikovsky’s ballet is based.

Originally the candle-lit pyramid was a symbol for light, a prayer for the miners to return safely home from the danger of the mines. As it became associated with Christmas, the candles on the lightstock came to represent Christ, who is the light of the world.

Lightstocks gained popularity in Dresden and the surrounding villages, and multi-storied pyramids began appearing in town markets, as villagers competed for the best town pyramid. Lightstock shelves were filled with scenes illustrating their village’s history, the story of Christmas, or other holiday themes. This tradition continues on today, and the world’s tallest pyramid stands in the Striezelmarkt in Dresden.

The Christmas tree tradition was not accepted by Americans until much later, brought by Hessian soldiers fighting in the Revolutionary War and later by German immigrants. But it is said that in 1747 in a church colony in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, German settlers displayed wooden pyramids covered with evergreen branches and decorated with candles.

Lightstocks are available today in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and are the continuation of a tradition over 300 years old.

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The Samurai Creed

I have no parents;

I make the heavens and the earth my parents,

I have no home;

I make ‘saika tanden’ (abdominal region) my home.

I have no divine power; I make honesty my divine power.

I have no means;

I make docility my means. I have no magic power;

I make personality my magic power. I have neither life nor death; I make ‘a um’ (art of regulating one’s breath) my life and death.

I have no body;

I make stoicism my body. I have no eyes; I make the flash of lightening my eyes. I have no ears;

I make sensibility my ears. I have no limbs; I make promtitude my limbs. I have no laws;

I make self – protection my laws. I have no strategy; I make ‘sakkatsu jizai’ (free to kill and free to restore life) my strategy. I have no designs;

I make ‘kisan’ (taking opportunity by the forelock ) my designs. I have no miracles;

I make righteous laws my miracles. I have no principles; I make ‘rinkiohen’ (adaptablility to all circumstances my principles. I have no tactic;

I make ‘kyojitsu’ (emptiness and fullness) my tactics. I have no talent;

I make ‘toi skumyo’ (ready wit) my talent. I have no friends; I make my mind my friend. I have no enemy;

I make incautiousness my enemy. I have no armor; I make ‘jin-gi’ (benevolence and righteousness) my armor. I have no castle; I make ‘ fudoshin’ (immovable mind) my castle. I have no sword;

I make ‘mushin’ (absence of mind) my sword.

In Japan the warrior class was known as samurai, also called bushi (hence bushido). They formed a class in and of themselves during the 9th and 12th centuries. They emerged from the provinces of Japan to become the ruling class until their decline and later total abolition in 1876 during the Meiji Era.

The samurai were fighting men, skilled in the martial arts. Samurai had extensive skills in the use of the bow and arrow and the sword. They could just as likely have killed you with their bare hands. Samurai were also great horsemen.

These warriors were men who lived by Bushido; it was their way of life. The samurai’s loyalty to the emperor and his overlord, or daimyo, was unsurpassed. They were trustworthy and honest. They lived frugal lives with no interest in riches and material things, but rather they were interested in honor and pride. They were men of true valor. Samurai had no fear of death. They would enter any battle no matter the odds. To die in battle would only bring honor to one’s family.

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